Holiday Heap: A Not-to-miss Craft Show & Raffle!

The Charm City Craft Mafia's 5th Annual Holiday Heap Craft Show will take place Saturday, December 3rd at St. John's Church (2640 St. Paul Street) from 10am-5pm. This year's fair will have 65 of the best local and national crafters, as well as a yarn-spinning demonstration by Three Ravens. This year the Charm City Craft Mafia's raffle will support Arts Every Day, a Baltimore non-profit whose mission is to strengthen learning by making arts education and cultural experiences an integral part of the education of all City Schools students. The raffle will feature two baskets heaped full of goodies plus a third raffle to win illegible ink's "The Animal Alphabet" print (a 24x36" linocut with watercolor detail) perfect for an alphabet lover of any age or your favorite K-8 teacher!

Can't wait to see you there!

Only 14 hours, 56 minutes and 31 seconds left...

I don't think you can live within a 60-mile radius of Baltimore and not know about the huge deal that is coming to our city this weekend: The Inaugural 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix. And while I see on the website that many of the hospitality packages are sold out, I'm pretty sure the majority of us know about the race not because we're huge racing fans but because we can't get from Point A to Point B downtown.

While I think our favorite ink spot is too young to enjoy the race (even though he does look super adorable in his noise canceling headphones) and Mr. ink will clearly be too exhausted from driving throughout the countryside trying to get home to enjoy the race, I am trying to have a positive attitude. And these Knob Creek Metal Arts Welcome Signs for $16.99 each surely put me in a festive mood!

So grab a bushel of crabs, some drawn butter, a tin of Old Bay and a Natty Bo' and let's hope the Baltimore Grand Prix is such a huge success that we forget all about the hours spent in traffic gridlock! After all, we just survived the 2011 Quakicane!

It's COMING!

I know summer is on it's way usually in June because of two things:

1. Cucumbers are almost ready to be harvested for cucumber margaritas, cucumber salad and cucumber soup; and 

2. A giant "pile of craft" is staring at me from the living room.

Be sure to come visit the illegible ink family this Saturday, June 25th from 10am-5pm at St. John's Church (2640 St. Paul Street). There's sure to be a new fox print!

Ho-Ho-Holiday Heap!

HOLIDAY HEAP

December 4 from 10am-5pm

St. John's Church

2640 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD

Shop handmade and have fun while doing so at the Charm City Craft Mafia's 4th Annual DIY indie arts and craft show. There are over 45 super talented, crafty vendors showing off apparel, jewelry, accessories, ceramics, paper goods and so much more. The illegible ink family will be on hand to unveil a whole new line just in time for Baby illegible ink's arrival in early January!

Growlzilla is descending on a city near you

Bean is hungry for dinner. Watch out metropolis.

It's almost Halloween or "Howl-ween" (as we like to call it in the illegible ink household) and we're feverishly working away at our costumes. I don't want to ruin the surprise but while we won't be channeling little Beanzilla here, you should definitely check out Beantown Handmade's Etsy site for more "apparel for dogs - not people clothes for dogs." It's obvious these indie crafters, Anne and Michael, love pups as much as their art. Besides, they had me at liver treats and peanut butter; two of Mabel and Woodley's favorites.

Tis the Season: Apply to Richmond's Handmade Holiday

I still have to carve my pumpkin but that doesn't mean I can't start thinking about the upcoming holiday shows.

Actually, I've already applied to two in the first week of December but now it's time to make the decision about the second week. Will Baby Boy Beachler arrive early? Can I brave a car ride to Richmond if I'm one of the lucky ones accepted to the Richmond Craft Mafia's Handmade Holiday show? (Their Spring Bada Bing show is one of my absolute favorites - even our pups love the early spring trip down from Baltimore.)

While I have until October 24th to decide, that doesn't mean you shouldn't start applying now! Good luck!

Last Chance: Apply NOW for Holiday Heap

On a whim I decided to google "last chance," and wow, what a mistake that was. The first two pages list how it's the last chance for meaningful relationships, having children, adopting fuzzy little pets, saving your soul and of course, a slew of pitifully lonesome songs...

Apply NOW for the Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap 2010! This year's awesome INDOOR indie craft show will be held December 4 from 10-5pm at 2640 St. Paul Street (St. John's Church), Baltimore, MD 21218.

There is a $10 application fee and then accepted vendors will pay an additional $75 for an 8' space. (includes one 8 foot table & two chairs).

The deadline for applications is October 8, 2010 at midnight. If you have questions, please email charmcitycraftmafia@gmail.com.

I know some of those Crafty Bastards!

I don't know why I seem to be cursed but it happens every year. For some reason I'm always out of town the weekend of DC's Crafty Bastards Arts & Craft Fair (Drool!). Unfortunately, it means I'm going to miss some of favorite crafter buds:

beth pohlman jewelry: My go-to, "work function," geometric necklace. Enough said.
Biggs & Featherbelle: Just opened their Tequila Bar Lime & Salt soap this morning.
Brainstorm Print & Design: It is only natural to swap prints with Jason and Briana at craft shows (seriously, every time!).
Carlybird Weaves: Bought a blue dress just to go with my navy/ochre button cuff.
Cotton Monster: Who doesn't want a room full of those sweet little faces?
jennyjen42: If you know my prints, you know I'm a sucker for owls and that's why I have a collection of owl shoulder bags.
Pinkkiss Pottery: Only 13 weeks and 4 days left until my little man is born which means I can start using my favorite sushi plates again.
Red Prairie Press: What don't I own from Rachel Bone?
Spaghetti Kiss: My brother pouts when I don't buy him a shirt from Mikey's collection. That reminds me, his birthday is coming up.
Squidfire, Inc: My soft, big wheel tank was a summer staple this year.
Sweet Pepita: Coming soon! Shannon is busily working on my custom baby gear this fall.
The Broken Plate Pendant Company: I could be obsessed. At least three pendants and 2 set of earrings from the china of great-great grandmother and even Martha Stewart.
The Candy Thief: I dream of hot chocolate when I pull out my leaf-inspired, wool headband.
the littlest bean: All my neutral tops are cheered up when I add a colorful felt brooch.

So, promise you'll stop by Adams Morgan this Saturday from 10am-5pm for me! I'll be doing what any self-respecting pregnant woman would do in my position. Enjoying a weekend with the Pittsburgh in-laws and therefore stuffing my face with a Primanti Bros. sandwich. Okay, that made me drool a little, too.

Swim your way down to Squidfire's 10th Art Mart

Well, I hope we literally don't have to swim to Fells Point tomorrow morning but the forecast does call for some early morning thunderstorms (that I would normally say are quite romantic if I weren't peddling my prints) and a wee bit o' wind. I'm not made of sugar, though, so why don't you join illegible ink and 50 other local and regional crafters at Squidfire's 10th Art Mart from 11am-6pm in Fells Point?

Hey Mom, do you want me to add anything else to my list for you on Mother's Day?

Update your iCal: 2010 Print Fair

The month of March really didn't seem to roar in like a lion and go out like a lamb. In fact, when thinking about my work at illegible ink (or even the weather), it seems like the opposite would be true. There are artist residencies to finish up, print deadlines, show application deadlines, marketing updates, etc. that are all popping up at the end of this month. With all the carnivorous deadlines, I've decided the best way to tackle them is to also balance them with fun.

Hmm... what would a Baltimore printmaker have fun doing this weekend? Well, it just so happens the Baltimore Museum of Art will be hosting the Baltimore Fair for Contemporary Prints & New Editions, Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, from 11am - 6pm. Tickets range between $12-$30 depending on membership and daily/weekend rates.

Discover limited-edition portfolios and single-image prints from 14 major contemporary art dealers, galleries, and presses from around the U.S. There will be a DIY Marketplace where attendees can learn about the do-it-yourself printmaking phenomenon directly from the artists! There will also be an afternoon panel discussion, New Directions for Printmakers. In this discussion, printmakers will address career options for recent printmaking graduates, which now range from the traditional track of becoming master printers for established print shops to self-publishing as a means of establishing oneself in this ever-evolving field. 

Let the fun begin!

March Madness is CRAFT MADNESS

When Pile of Craft rolls around, I'm finally feeling that spring has finally sprung!

Top Ten illegible ink Prints of 2009

It seems like the last week has been full of everyone's Top Ten lists so I thought it might be fun to start a couple of my own. The first one to tackle (since I've also been thinking about tax season with the start of this new year) is my Top Ten list of sale items (by volume) of 2009.

So, here is the Top Ten of illegible ink Prints in 2009 - thanks to all of you!

#10 The Snapdragons: Reds, pinks, yellows, purples and blues. These flowers roared into the ten spot of 2009 sales.

#9 The Rooster: Available as a framed print or festive card, this cheerful crooner was designed to call in the new year.

#8 What a Pair: One is the loneliest number, so why not have a pair of feathered friends? I imagine he's listening to my hen's every cluck.


 #7  Mushroom Hunt: You don't need a fancy pig to sniff out these delicious mushrooms. These prints are one-of-a-kind, printed in black ink on a soft brown paper (and sometimes colored with soft pastels to highlight your taste).

#6 Chambered Nautilus: Many echoed the sentiments of Oliver Wendall Holmes and Andrew Wyeth by purchasing this spiraled and coiled nautilus. Hand painted, ensuring this nautilus never blends into the darkness of the sea.

#5 How Now, Brown Cow:  This happy cow is not from California but he still maintains a carefree, sunny attitude and definitely encourages you to choose him over "chikin."

#4 Penguin: The holiday season favorite, this peppy penguin easily slid his way into the third spot in sales.

#3 T is for Turtle: Not everyone has space for The Animal Alphabet but the Turtle from that print has swam into multiple frames and card sets throughout the year. While he is not number one overall yet, he was the first animal sold out at each of my craft shows this past year.

#2 Maryland Blue Crab: Just add Old Bay! This crab puts the charm in Charm City. Edged out by just a pinch, he may claw his way into the number one spot next year.

#1 The Owl: He has a feather in his cap and puts a smile on your face. Two years in a row, this wise owl is the reigning sales champion.

Hoo(t) knows, maybe he will be the Triple Crown Winner of 2010?

See you at Squidfire

Join Squidfire and 60 other talented artists and crafters for an all day shopping experience tomorrow. The Du Burns Arena in Canton will be transformed into an alternative shopping center when DIY/Indie crafters from all over the east coast descend upon Baltimore to offer you the most unique, handmade gift ideas. Hope to see you there! illegible ink is in Booth #6 (right near the entrance).

Squidfire's Holiday Art Mart

Saturday, December 12th: 11am-6pm
Du Burns Arena
1301 S Ellwood Ave

Holiday Heap is thump, thump, thumping at my door!

It's hard to believe Holiday Heap is only three days away and I have so much left to do before the show. At least I've shortened my list somewhat... There's one more plate to carve and print, a stack of prints to watercolor and then some final touches for framing.

Here's a sneak peak of a new dino-friend rumblin' and stumblin' into the illegible ink booth!

"Up a Tree" Tuesday

This new illegible ink tree squirrel print will remind you

to keep searching for that juicy nut (even on a Tuesday).

First Scarf of the Season

The first day of Fall may have officially been September 22nd but I think it really hit me this weekend. The leaves are turning those striking burnt orange colors so the down comforter has emerged from the cedar chest, Julia Child's Ragout de bouef tout simple was made for dinner, and I've started washing my scarves to wear to work this week. I have a few knitting projects underway so I went to Etsy this morning to see if I could find a new pair of "glittens" as inspiration.

Instead I set my sights on Nan Lawson's pen and ink drawing, Autumn Girl ($10). This sweet redhead is the perfect embodiment of the weather today here in chilly Baltimore. (Nan also has an Autumn Boy and Autumn Nerd available.)

This is a 5x7" print from an original ink drawing that was digitally painted.

The Maryland SPCA's Shop-A-Paw-Looza

Taking out a couple days here and there for the day job, catching up on Tivo, football games and family/friends visiting there are really only 8 weeks left until the holiday madness of craft shows start. So, do you want the good news or bad news first?

The good news is you can get a jump start on all your holiday shopping through the Maryland SPCA's Shop-A-Paw-Looza. There are over 347 auction items available so let the bidding begin.

This 11x14" pet portrait and card set from FuzzyMug is totally sweet for you - and for the homeless pets you are helping!
Auction runs October 2 – 27, 2009 (It's totally the cat's meow!)
Website: www.mdspca.cmarket.com

The bad news? Fortunately for you, it only applies to me. I only have 8 weeks to get all my new prints ready for you!

"Back to School" Spirit

Ok, so I'm not heading back to school but since the majority of friends are teachers or grad students, I couldn't help having some school spirit!

I've got my new Sharpie color pack (which came with the new Sharpie pen!), a recycled notebook to jot down my next print ideas and help keep track of my "to do lists," and my favorite Seattle beans (Caffe Vita) arrived in the mail earlier this week.

All I need to do is buy myself an apple and I am set for the first day on Monday, right? I guess it might be healthier to purchase an actual Red Delicious but I'm partial to paper and this modern apple letterpress print from Lulu Dee seems more my style.

4 Little Wise Guys

A screenprinting buddy just turned me on to Mibo (www.mibo.co.uk); she knew I wouldn't be able to resist these "Wise Guys." These little paper owls are a perfect DIY project and all you need is a printer, paper, glue stick, ruler and scissors. For about $1.70, you can buy the print-at-home kit online and these four little guys will land as a PDF file in your inbox!

Girls Night Out - Crafting Social

With Artscape coming up (and the Super Art Fight 4), I missed out on registering for an "Indian Summer Crafting Social" on July 16th at Paper Source in Annapolis. But the good news is they are offering an "Encore - Girls Night Out - Event" on Thursday, Aug 13, from 7-9:00pm.

The night will include creating stationery using Paper Source's new India designed rubber stamps and signature prints, with pops of bright fuchsia + much more. You will even be able to get 10% off purchases made that evening. Hurry and register now!